What Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Glossitis?

Vitamin Deficiencies That Lead to Glossitis

If you are experiencing soreness and a swollen tongue due to glossitis, it is often linked to vitamin deficiencies. Deficiency of niacin, vitamin B12, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and vitamin E may lead to glossitis.

Let us explore which vitamin deficiencies can impact tongue health and cause glossitis.

What Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Glossitis?

Vitamin B deficiency, especially of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12, as well as vitamin E deficiency, generally contribute to tongue inflammation. Here is the detailed brief on vitamin deficiencies that cause glossitis:

• Glossitis is a sign of cobalamin deficiency that affects the normal function of cells, including the tongue. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes lower papillae, resulting in loss of taste buds and a smooth, shiny tongue with a burning sensation.   
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency affects blood vessels and tissues. It causes tongue swelling and inflammation, glossitis.
• Riboflavin, vitamin B2 deficiency, can cause inflammation of the lips and the corners of the mouth, including glossitis.
• Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency affects the appearance of the tongue; for example, the tongue may become reddish, smooth and inflamed.   
• Poor diet, alcohol abuse, and malabsorption cause vitamin B6 deficiency, which can lead to tongue inflammation. Pyridoxine deficiency can worsen glossitis, causing the tongue to become more swollen, sore and red.  
• Vitamin B9, folate deficiency, can indeed cause glossitis, which promotes symptoms of tongue inflammation and loss of papillae.  
• Vitamin E deficiency causes atrophic glossitis, characterised by partial loss of papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue and potential burning pain.    

What are the Types of Glossitis?  

Here is the table to explain different types of glossitis and their characteristics:

What Does a B12 Deficiency Tongue Look Like?

A vitamin B12 deficiency causes atrophic glossitis. It causes the sudden disappearance of small bumps, such as papillae on the tongue and changes in appearance.  Other ways to understand whether B12 deficiency caused glossitis include:

• The tongue looks swollen and red.  
• It leads to a smooth, glossy and slick appearance
• Physically, the tongue may become painful and sore    

What is Clinically One of the First Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency develops symptoms slowly, but it can worsen over time. One of the first clinical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency is weakness and fatigue. Other symptoms include:

• Weight loss
• Diarrhoea or vomiting, and nausea
• Tongue soreness
• Loss of appetite
• Vision problem
• Irritation
• Tingling or numbness in the feet and hands  

How to Treat Glossitis?

Glossitis can be treated with different approaches, such as:

Medication

Oral medications, such as antivirals, antibiotics, and antifungals, can treat glossitis by removing the growth of bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Moreover, doctors may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment to reduce symptoms of glossitis, such as redness and soreness of the tongue.

Dietary Changes

Healthcare providers prescribe vitamin supplements to meet nutritional needs and improve overall health. Individuals must add necessary nutrients or a source of vitamins to their regular diet plan. For example, you need to incorporate high vitamin-rich foods, like almonds, lentils, quinoa, fatty fish, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, eggs and yoghurt.  

Trigger Food Elimination

A person with glossitis must eliminate trigger foods, such as spicy and hot foods, and citrus fruits, including lemons, pineapple, grapefruits and oranges. For tongue soreness, swelling and burning sensations, mashed potatoes, soft bread, well-cooked vegetables, liquid creamy soups, eggs, and oatmeal are the best choices to relieve discomfort.  

How to Prevent Glossitis?

Glossitis prevention involves a combination of lifestyle choices and good oral health. Here are a few tips to prevent glossitis:

• Maintain good oral hygiene practices as part of your regular lifestyle. For example, regular brushing of teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Plan routine check-ups with a dentist to address any early oral health problems, such as gum disease, cavities, sore tongue and oral cancer.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking to protect against tongue swelling, soreness and infections.   
• Stay hydrated and limit sugary drinks and foods from the regular diet to support good oral health.  

Glossitis is tongue inflammation and swelling that often signals underlying vitamin deficiencies, particularly of B-complex vitamins and vitamin E. Recognising the symptoms early and addressing them through dietary changes, supplementation, and good oral hygiene can effectively manage and prevent glossitis, supporting overall tongue and oral health.